The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday argued that a judge cannot block the termination of 21 CIA officers working on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs, asserting that U.S. intelligence chiefs have unilateral authority over personnel decisions.
The legal stance underscores the broad discretion granted to intelligence agencies in staffing matters, particularly in areas deemed critical to national security. The case highlights tensions over the role of DEIA initiatives within federal agencies and their future under the current administration.